At the Oct. 11 Clarkston Community Schools regular board meeting, Wes Goodman and Matthew McCarty gave a demonstration of the district’s new computerized security system.
The new system includes security cameras in allidistrict buildings, a keyless entry system on all buildings that can be used for tracking, new alarm systems throughout the district, wireless software program, and updated monitoring room.
The entire system is connected to the district’s Intranet and can record between 14 and 30 days worth of images. All of the camera images are searchable by date, time and camera.
‘The purpose of this system is to protect our students, our staff and our property,? said Matthew McCarty, Executive Director of Technology and Information Services. ‘We want to protect the people and assets of the district.?
To date, seven of the district’s elementaries are up and running with the new security cameras and equipment. Other buildings in the district will be brought on-line as construction is completed.
The total number of cameras being placed throughout the district has yet to be determined due to the construction.
‘We have identified through the blue prints where we felt there were security issues and have placed cameras accordingly,? stated McCarty. ‘We will continue doing so as buildings are completed.?
As a part of securing the new system, limited access to information has been given to different district employee levels. For example, the district’s central administration can access any security camera in any building through the wireless Intranet. However, individual building administrators can only access the cameras and recordings for their building.
‘Each building has individual monitoring access,? explained McCarty. ‘Here at the administration building, we can access everything.?
Anita Banach, Director of Communications and Marketing, stated administrators are not holding any type of district-wide student awareness program on the new system. She said principals are handling the system on an individual basis.
‘You don’t necessarily want to give every intricacy of the plan,? she stated.
The new security system was purchased through the district’s $83.7 million bond issue.
According to Bruce Beamer, Executive Director of Business and Financial Services, the total cost for the system is approximately $1 million, or about 1.1 percent of the bond.
‘This is a trend, the whole nation isibecoming more security conscious,? said McCarty. ‘With all the threats facing schools today, we want to make sure we’re good stewards with our children and equipment.?